The army was deployed today in Rawalpindi and Multan after at least nine persons were killed in sectarian clashes, prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the Pakistani garrison city.
Curfew was imposed within the limits of 19 police stations of Rawalpindi after Shias participating in a Muharram procession clashed with students from a Sunni seminary yesterday. Eight persons were killed and over 40 injured in the violence.
Police and a large number of soldiers patrolled various areas in Rawalpindi today.
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In Multan city of Punjab province, the administration summoned the army today after a clash between two groups left one person dead and two others seriously injured, media reports said.
Following the clash in Nala Wali Muhammad area of Multan, the situation in the city became tense.
Mobile phone services were suspended in Rawalpindi and the measure was expected to remain in force till tomorrow afternoon, officials said.
Officials said the clash in Rawalpindi started when a Shia procession was passing through Raja Bazar. The Shias were observing Ashura, which commemorates the death of Prophet Mohammed's grandson.
A police official, who did not want to be named, said, "Initial investigations suggest that some miscreants raised slogans and shouted at the participants of the procession near Fawara Chowk from a seminary belonging to another sect.
"This led to some angry protesters entering the seminary and dragging out three students and beating them to their death," he said.
Following the clash, protestors blocked roads in the city by setting tyres on fire.
Another official said trouble spread when someone from the procession began firing and some protesters grabbed the guns of policemen, leading to more deaths and violence.
Footage on TV showed numerous shots being fired by unidentified men as members of the two groups resorted to stone-pelting and firing.
Youths broke the cameras of TV reporters and footage on television showed participants of the Shia procession beating policemen.
Though media reports put the death toll in Rawalpindi at eight, unofficial figures suggested a higher toll.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sought a report on the violence in Rawalpindi. He directed officials to take strict action against those involved in the incident.
The Rawalpindi district administration warned people to stay at home as violation of curfew would not be tolerated.
Strict security was put in place across Pakistan and mobile phone services were jammed in many cities during Muharram to avert terrorist attacks.
Shias have often been targeted by terrorist groups during Muharram in recent years.
